Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Relatives of hostages to meet pope
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Pope Francis delivers a blessing during the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Family members of 12 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 and currently being held in Gaza will meet with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry announces.
In total, 20 family members will meet with the pope, and then will meet with senior figures in the Italian government and conduct media interviews with the Italian press.
Some 240 hostages are being held by Hamas, which has refused to allow visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross, or any other humanitarian visits.
